This Luftwaffe Gravity Knife shows some traces of wear and usage but still works well; it is a good, solid example.

The stainless steel mounts had quite a bit of "tap-tap" on them, which we were able to remove. They look much better since the restoration. The activator lever works well and is numbered "567".

The grip plates are the traditional walnut type. Both of the plates show signs of wear but are free of damage. The reverse plate has a good look to it, having a subtle tiger strip wood grain.

The marlin-spike looks to have the original tip. It has a waffenamt stamping in the corner, a stickbird with a "5" in his belly.

The blade of the knife is in fairly good condition, with a few signs of past sharpening. It is still fairly bright and although it has no crossgrain looks quite good. The blade drops and retracts with no problems. It is marked with the Seated King trademark of the SMF firm, as well as "Rostfrei".

A good, basic Gravity Knife here.

Excellent. $695.00

LUFTGRAV #33804 Luftwaffe Gravity Knife – SMF

The nickel parts throughout this gravity knife are in outstanding condition. It is interesting to note that the activator lever is not plated but is in a blued steel form. This activator lever is stamped, “01” on the outside portion of it and on the inner portion it appears to be stamped, “590”.

The grip plates are real beauties being a very fine oak wood having a nice grain in the surfaces. These grip plates virtually show no wear at all. The marlin spike still has its original tip and it is waffenamt in the corner with a stickbird having a number “5” in his belly. The throat of this example still has good smooth surfaces which is a sure sign of little usage.

The blade activator works well and this beautiful blade still has 100% of its original crossgraining. It has never been sharpened and remains in a mint state. The blade reverse is etched with the Seated King trademark. The king positions his posterior over the firm’s initials, “SMF” and carries an upward pointed sword. Below the image is the town, “Solingen” and beneath this the German word for stainless steel, “Rostfrei”.

A very fine gravity knife here. I suspect the blued version activator lever was probably using up of parts inventory.

Mint Minus $995.00

LUFTGRAV #32872 Luftwaffe Gravity Knife - SMF

This Luftwaffe Gravity Knife appears to have been a nickel-plated version, but possibly, it was produced later in the war as the mounts are a steel base. The mounts are all in good condition, however, there is a light coating of rust that is noticeable on the throat area as well as on the back strap and some area around the marlinspike. It gives the gravity knife an unusual look, as the flush mount four rivets on each side of the throat area stand out against the dark background created by the toned metal base. The springs on both the activator lever and the marlinspike are strong and work nicely. The activator lever is marked “318”.

The marlinspike appears to have the original tip and it has the usual waffenamt in the corner.

The grip plates of this example are a fine toned oak and they are in perfect condition, showing very little wear.

The blade of this example, on the obverse, is bright and in mint condition with full grain. The reverse of the blade also is still quite nice, although there are some sharpening scars that show about ¾ of the way down. Other than these scars, the reverse blade is still in fine condition also. This blade is etched with the SMF logo that features the seated king holding an upward pointing sword. Below the king are the firm’s initials, “SMF”, and the location town of “Solingen”. Below this is the German word for stainless steel, “Rostfrei”.

A nice gravity knife here that with a little effort could have the finish brought up, but actually I kind of like it the way it is. The choice would be up to the next purchaser, as I’m quite sure this finish would clean up.

Excellent. $695.00(#021318)

LUFTGRAV #34295C Luftwaffe Gravity Knife - F. & A. Helbig

This maker mark for a Gravity Knife is extremely difficult to find. I have sold a lot of gravity knives over the years, and I have only had one F. & A. Helbig example in the past. If there is someone out there that is specializing in gravity knife types, this example should be of prime interest.

Holding the knife next to the Weyersberg and SMF entries, it is interesting to note that the mounts are of a slightly different shape. The throat is different, as is the activator lever and also the grip plates are of a flatter nature than the other types. These aspects all make for a unique item here. The mounts are all nickel plated type, and they are in good shape throughout. There are no number stampings anywhere on this gravity knife. The activator lever spring works well, as does the marlinspike spring. I note also that the marlinspike appears thicker than the types used by the other makers.

This marlinspike is stamped on the corner with a waffenamt. The waffenamt is the standard stick bird with a "5" in his belly.

The grip plates appear to be walnut, but as stated above, they are flatter in nature than the more curved types used by other producers. These grip plates are in excellent condition throughout, having no flaws or problems.

The blade of this piece unfortunately has some fairly good edge sharpening. The sharpening does go up slightly also into the blade surfaces. In the areas not scarred by the sharpening though, the blade is still factory bright and has all of its crossgraining. The maker mark is very lightly etched on the reverse ricasso, being a double oval. The ovals contain the firm's name "F & A Helbig" and their location below. About half of the maker mark has been worn off by the sharpening. Below the maker mark is the word for stainless steel "ROSTRFEI".

An interesting example here, in good working order, and with a very rarely seen maker.